Devils defenseman Ben Lovejoy has become the first active NHL player to pledge to donate his brain for CTE research.
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New Jersey Devils' Mike Peluso, left, fights with Winnipeg Jets' Tie Domi during the third period of their game in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J., Oct. 12, 1993.(Photo: Kevin Larkin, AP)

The suit points to a December 1993 fight that gave Peluso a concussion and then a seizure he had about two months later, and a lack of transparency on the severity of his injuries.

"Mr. Peluso now suffers from dementia from injuries to his brain resulting in permanent mental incapacity as a direct result of Defendants' callous actions after the receipt of the neurologist's report in January 1994," the lawsuit states.

A Devils spokesman declined to comment.

Peluso was an enforcer who joined the Devils in 1993 and was a member of the 1995 Stanley Cup champion team. In his career, he was in 240 fights, had 1,951 penalty minutes and was part of the "Crash Line" with the Devils. As the lawsuit states, "he was on the ice to fight."

He has permanent damage to the right side of his brain and has spent more than $100,000 on medical bills and medication since his retirement.

Peluso fought with Tony Twist of the Quebec Nordiques in a Dec. 18, 1993 game and had his head slammed against the ice, the suit states. He was carried off the ice and had memory loss after the game, as he showered multiple times forgetting that he already had after the game. He spent two days in a Quebec hospital.

He was back on the ice right after being released, the suit states. He had the seizure Feb. 14, 1994 while working out with the team.

Ruderman issued a report linking the seizure to the concussions and fight, according to the lawsuit, claiming Peluso would have more seizures and long-term brain damage if he continued to play. The suit alleges the report was sent to Devils officials but not to Peluso, and that he was still put on the ice.

"Had Mr. Peluso been made aware of the severe injury and risk identified by Dr. Ruderman, he would not have continued his career as a professional hockey player," the lawsuit reads.

The report was also not provided to Peluso's future teams, the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers and Calgary Flames. Peluso retired at the end of the 1997-1998 season.